Attorney Stuart H. Smith, of Smith Stag, LLC, issued the following statement:
“Due to the total lack of transparency by BP and Halliburton, a team of independent lawyers, on behalf of the United Commercial Fisherman’s Association and the Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN), has been forced to prepare subpoenas from the U.S. District Court in and for the Eastern District of Louisiana to compel BP to provide pertinent information regarding the cause of the DEEPWATER HORIZON catastrophe and its potential impact on human health and the environment.
“BP and Halliburton have yet to release even the most basic information and data, such as the videos from the submarines that they are using to evaluate the oil flow situation. It is impossible for any expert at this time to independently quantify the amount of oil being released without this relevant information.
“BP has also not released all of the data that was streamed to its headquarters from DEEPWATER HORIZON during the time leading up to the fire and the ultimate capsizing of the rig.
“Moreover, BP has not publicly released the chemical composition of the dispersants which they claim are being used to mitigate the oil spill, nor have they released the chemical composition of the agents that will be applied to beaches and to which humans will be presumably exposed.
“Our clients consider this information essential in taking the steps necessary to protect the environment and human health, and to evaluate the interventions which can be taken to promote the maximum safeguarding of the Gulf Coast and its people.”
